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Owning a car can come with serious financial headaches. The average repair cost for your vehicle is now $838 kelly blue book (KBB). But when you need major repairs, that figure skyrockets.
When shopping for an SUV, it is important to keep in mind the potential repair costs ranging from maintenance charges to major overhauls. To help plan ahead, here’s a breakdown of the four most expensive SUV repair costs, according to automotive experts.
transmission replacement
Some models are more likely to require transmission replacement and it is not cheap.
Automotive expert and founder Rob Dillon said, “The cost of a total transmission replacement can range from $2,900 to $7,100 or more, making it one of the most expensive repairs other than the engine.” EVhype.
Alan Gelfand, owner of German Car DepotAgreed. “SUVs require larger, more complex transmissions because their towing and all-wheel-drive systems increase transmission wear,” Gelfand explained.
SUVs that have “notoriously bad transmissions”, according to suv geekinclude:
- 2019 chevrolet blazer
- 2019 jeep cherokee
- 2019 kia optima
- 2010 to 2013 subaru outback
- 2014 to 2016 Infiniti QX60
- 2009 to 2017 chevrolet traverse
- 2002 to 2017 Nissan Rogue
hybrid battery replacement
Many consumers prefer hybrid SUVs because they strike a balance between cost savings, convenience, and practicality – without requiring drivers to commit to a fully electric vehicle (EV) lifestyle. But when it comes time to replace the battery, it gets expensive.
“For a hybrid or electrified SUV, replacing a bad battery pack can cost $4,000 to $7,000 or more,” Dillon said. “Battery packs are expensive to replace because of the individual cells and electronic control systems involved.”
according to K.B.B.Most hybrid batteries are expected to last 10 years or 100,000 to 150,000 miles.
air suspension failures
Many high-end SUVs use air suspension for comfort, but when it comes time to replace the system, it can blow your budget.
“When a compressor or airbag fails the repair cost can range from $3,500 to $5,000 due to the cost of parts, labor and replacement of multiple components,” Dillon explained.
Replacing the air suspension system is a common SUV repair that surprises many vehicle owners.
Gelfand said, “The system provides a comfortable, adjustable ride during its initial use, but will eventually lead to maintenance costs due to aging components.” “The resale market shows that air-suspension problems cause significant value loss that exceeds all other repair costs for luxury SUVs.”
According to Dillon, despite being stylish and equipped with luxury features, the Land Rover Range Rover is known for air-suspension issues.
engine replacement
When it comes to car problems, one of the worst-case scenarios is engine replacement. This is one of the most extreme and expensive SUV repairs.
“SUV engine replacement costs range from $6,000 to $10,000 due to engine size requirements and long labor times and restricted packaging options,” Gelfand explained.
SUVs offer versatility, excellent performance and extra space, but choose the wrong one and you could end up paying a hefty bill. Understanding the most common and expensive repairs can help avoid unexpected costs in the future.